Nightlife & Music

Best Pub Quizzes in San Francisco

San Franciscans enjoy two things above all others: drinking and feeling intellectually superior to everyone else. As a result, pub quizzes are incredibly popular. Fancying ourselves local pub quiz experts, we’re going to give you our take with these saucy suggestions. Cheers!

For sure, Ediburgh Castle’s Pub Quiz is tops on our list. The pub’s got a fascinating history, the quiz is usually packed with slumming yuppies and the ambiance is pretty great, too. An added bonus is the fish and chip delivery from down the block, complete with greasy newspaper napkins. Sit downstairs, close to the action if you can.

This British Bar welcomes the rowdy, which fits in well with the Lower Haight ‘hood. Trivia here is unrushed, and casual. So if you’re in it to win it, you’ll want to try and relax. Things tend to move slow at Mad Dog, unless some Euro football is on the telly. In which case, all hell breaks loose.

This cozy pub features food, booze and a pretty solid trivia night. Grab your group and head to the tables by the fireplace. Points are given for the best Team Name, and reverence is not rewarded. Send someone in early. This place fills up quick, and slackers stand.

Elixir

A slightly classier experience, Elixir is a smaller bar with limited seating. The questions seem endless, so if you don’t have a stool, you’ll get antsy. You can win alcohol, however, and mingle with cute Mission hipster-types while judging their trivial expertise.

Suits and ties, pumps and purses. This is the post-work, FiDi Trivia Crowd, with a handful of tourists thrown in to keep it real. Not our favorite, the best thing about the Elephant & Castle Quiz is that you’ll get home at a reasonable hour. You do, after all, have to be at the office first thing tomorrow.

This fun neighborhood spot is as welcoming as they come. Settle into this smallish, warm and cozy bar off the main drag but on the right track. Shotwell’s is laid back and fun, but like everywhere else, it’s best to arrive on the early side to secure seating. Check in with sweet Rhiannon at the bar, she might have some home baked treats to share!